Social-Emotional Skills
Why This Stage Matters
Social-emotional growth helps kids identify feelings, build friendships, and manage big emotions. Play gives children safe ways to practice empathy, cooperation, and resilience.
Key Developmental Milestones
EXPERT INSIGHT
"Play is where children learn about themselves and others. Toys that encourage sharing, cooperation, and pretend scenarios help kids practice empathy and resilience."
LINDY, SLP
Find age-appropriate gifts that match your child's developmental stage
Find skill-appropriate gifts that match your child's developmental stage
Social-Emotional Skills
Why This Skill Matters
Social-emotional growth helps kids identify feelings, build friendships, and manage big emotions. Play gives children safe ways to practice empathy, cooperation, and resilience.
Milestones
- 1 yr: Explores textures, bangs toys
- 2 yrs: Enjoys messy play (water, sand)
- 3 yrs: Uses sensory tools (playdough, rice bins)
- 4 yrs: Begins sensory regulation (calming activities)
- 5-8 yrs: Explores more complex sensory experiences (crafts, tactile games)
EXPERT INSIGHT
"Play is where children learn about themselves and others. Toys that encourage sharing, cooperation, and pretend scenarios help kids practice empathy and resilience."
LINDY, SLP
My Emotions Dot Coloring & Dot-a-Dot Markers
RECOMMENDED AGE:
2-4 years
Kids love coloring — and these ones spark conversations about feelings. Each page is designed around an emotion face.
WHAT KIDS LEARN THROUGH PLAY:
Emotional vocabulary grows as kids link colors with feelings. Parents can ask, “Which crayon matches how you feel right now?”
Spark & Wow Emotions Dominoes
RECOMMENDED AGE:
1-3 years
Dominoes become a lesson in recognizing feelings. Children match expressions while practicing turn-taking.
WHAT KIDS LEARN THROUGH PLAY:
Matching faces supports emotion recognition and empathy. Parents can add prompts like, “Tell me a time you felt like this.”
Sweet Li’l Family Bendable Doll House Figurines
RECOMMENDED AGE:
3-5 years
Pretend family play builds empathy and perspective-taking. Children assign roles and act out routines they know.
WHAT KIDS LEARN THROUGH PLAY:
Role-play with dolls helps kids process real-life experiences, practice caring, and imagine how others feel.
Find age-appropriate gifts that match your child's developmental stage
Find skills-appropriate gifts that match your child's developmental stage